MARGAO
With the resignation of Margao Municipal Chairperson Lyndon Pereira to take effect after seven days, MLA Digambar Kamat-backed Model Margao panel is expected to zero in on the successor post-Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
Meanwhile, two-time Margao Municipal councillor Damu Shirodkar, who is perceived as a strong contender in the Model Margao group to succeed Lyndon, on Monday said that he has left it to Digambar Kamat to address the leadership issue.
Many say the intervening Ganesh Chaturthi has given the Digambar group the time to cap the leadership issue by forging a consensus for the Chairperson’s post. For, while Damu Shirodkar has been doing the rounds in political circles as the likely successor after Lyndon, sources now say that young and first-time councillor Shagun alias Dada Naik is projected by some of the Model Margao-backed councillors for the coveted seat.
In fact, Shagun is believed to have told his aides, including councillors, that Damu Shirodkar’s candidature will be unacceptable to the Model Margao group.
Damu Shirodkar, however, remains unfazed by the reports of opposition brewing in the group to his candidature.
“I do not want to comment anything on the matter. I have left the leadership issue to MLA Digambar to take a call. He will take a call," Damu said.
Damu’s stand assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that he is banking on the promise made by Digambar to a group of people that Damu would succeed Lyndon Pereira after a tenure of 15 months. Sources in the know informed that Damu is banking on Kamat to fulfil his promise to Aquemkars when the MMC Chairperson’s post had gone to Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai's group after the 2021 municipal polls.
Meanwhile, even as all eyes are focused on Digambar’s Model Margao group to shortlist its candidate for the MMC Chairperson’s post, questions are being raised in the corridors of the Margao Municipal Council whether the Margao Civic Alliance stitched by MLAs Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai will have smooth sailing.
For, a section of councillors aligned to the MCA as well as the BJP does not rule out the possibility of a third force emerging in the civic body under the leadership of former Chairperson Ghanashyam Shirodkar.
